Neighbors of an apartment complex where three apartments are being used as Airbnb-style rentals say they are living a nightmare of all-day partying and public sex.
Residents of $500,000 mansions are fed up with what they describe as sex parties, violence and drug use.
Two weeks ago, gunshots rang out from the Westhaven Estates building in west Houston and security cameras caught a man walking outside with a gun.
A couple was also filmed having sex on a balcony on a Monday morning as parents walked their children to the primary school just 60 meters away.
Two weeks ago, gunshots rang out from the Westhaven Estates building in west Houston and security cameras caught a man with a gun walking outside (pictured)
Neighbors said the frequent partying started on Thursday evening and continued almost non-stop until Monday morning.
They said it was worse than ever last week when students stormed the building during spring break.
More footage showed a woman wearing a thong walking down a cobblestone path as Airbnb guests screeched and shouted overnight.
People who live in the townhomes near Houston’s Galleria Mall said it wasn’t what they signed up for when they moved to the upscale neighborhood with their children.
They are increasingly alarmed by armed people smoking marijuana, which is still illegal in Texas, and blocking access to their homes with their cars.
A couple is seen having sex on the balcony of a Houston Airbnb in a pixelated image from a shocked local resident
A scantily clad woman was also filmed walking around the neighborhood in a thong. It is unclear whether she was one of the two people caught having sex on the balcony
Nancy Rutherford, who lives a block away from the building, said dozens of calls to police didn’t help.
‘It’s been a living nightmare. This usually starts on Thursday evening; it goes on all night and it goes on until about Monday morning,” she said I LOVE.
‘None of us feel safe anymore. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed. What does HPD do? I don’t know, I’d like to know what HPD does.”
Kathy Yang, who lives in Westhaven Estates, regularly has her car blocked as guests fill the driveway with their vehicles.
She wanted to move, but said she couldn’t rent her apartment to such noisy neighbors, nor could she in good conscience sell it.
“So I’m stuck,” she said.
Kathy Yang, who lives in Westhaven Estates, said she wanted to move, but said she wouldn’t be able to rent out her apartment or sell it in good conscience
Yang regularly blocks her car as guests fill the driveway with their vehicles
After 87 attempts to get police to help shut down the out-of-control short-term rental, it remains in business.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire discussed the issue at a recent city council meeting after complaints from residents in the city.
“No one should have to be exposed to the conditions we are hearing about today. “I have seen some photos that clearly violate the law,” he said.
“It’s clearly a hotel.”
However, Whitmire’s office said Texas is a strong property rights state and that a federal court last year struck down Austin’s short-term rental rules as unconstitutional.
“We are in the process of gathering public input, data and facts on how we can move forward to address concerns about short-term rentals,” the report said.
“The City of Houston intends to make an informed decision before deciding how to proceed.”
According to the online listing, the Airbnb has five king and queen beds
Walls in the rental are painted black. There are also luxurious touches, such as designer bedding
An online listing for the property, which includes a pool, states that parties and events are not allowed
According to the listing, the “luxury” home can accommodate up to 10 people and can be reserved for just $486 per night.
Photos of the property show black walls, large mirrors and beds covered in Chanel linens.
“Each bedroom features silky soft linens, comfortable blankets and soft pillows that make you feel like you’re sleeping on heavenly clouds,” the ad says.
The list specifically states that parties are not allowed.
Airbnb did not immediately respond to comment about the party palace.
